Cats Fall 2-1 in 89th Minute to No. 15 FIU

No. 16 Kentucky ends shutout streak in first conference loss of season

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Madison Dennis, UK Athletics)

No. 16 Kentucky (6-2-3, 1-1-1 Conference USA) fell to No. 15 FIU (9-0-3, 4-0 C-USA) 2-1 Sunday night at Wendell &Vickie Bell Soccer Complex.

The Wildcats were the first team to get on the scoreboard when Daniel Evans netted his fourth goal of the season in the 26^th minute. The sophomore forward rebounded Kalil ElMedkhar’s missed attempt off the right goal post and sent the ball past FIU goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi to the lower-left corner of the net.

The Panthers’ Andrew Booth responded less than a minute later, scoring a goal of his own off a corner kick by Alban Rousselet. The two sides entered halftime in a 1-1 stalemate.

The match remained tied for the following 43 minutes, with Kentucky attempting eight shots in the period. However, FIU midfielder Mohamed Conde put the Cats away with a game winner in the 89^th minute off the foot of Stephen Afrifa.

Kentucky entered Sunday averaging 10.1 attempts per game but ultimately outshot FIU 15-6. UK keeper Enrique Facusse recorded two saves on the night, ending his shutout streak at 563 minutes.

The Cats will resume play on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET against Ohio State (6-5-1, 1-2-1 Big Ten Conference) at The Bell.